What's Good or Bad About Recovery

In this episode of The Recovery Playbook, Daryl Shorter, MD, and Ryan Leaf, Menninger’s Ambassador in Recovery, address both the pros and cons of recovery treatment.Dr. Shorter shares an experience of asking a patient what they thought about going into recovery, while Leaf admits that one big “con” is “… that everyone knows. The fear of someone knowing you have a problem is worse than the fear of getting the help you need.”For Leaf, one fear about recovery was being made fun of or ostracized. He also had concerns about having a social life, since so much of Americans’ social lives involves drinking, whether at restaurants or bars. This made him concerned about finding a partner, as many of the places where you typically meet people would be off limits.For Dr. Shorter, addressing an addict’s fears about recovery is an important part of treatment. Without such a discussion, there’s no opportunity to help an addict learn to manage those fears.Dr. Shorter highlights two good things specifically related to Leaf’s recovery: the ability to be of service to others and the capacity to experience self-acceptance. According to Dr. Shorter, radical change is possible for everyone.“There are no negatives in recovery,” says Leaf.Follow The Menninger Clinic on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new Recovery Playbook episodes with Ryan Leaf and Daryl Shorter, M.D.  To submit a topic for discussion, email [email protected]. If you are a new or regular listener, please leave us a review on your favorite listening platform! Visit www.menningerclinic.org to learn more about The Menninger Clinic’s research and leadership role in mental health.